US attorney on Bourbon Street shooting: Standing on the sidelines no longer an option

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite made it clear in a news conference to update the public on the Bourbon Street shooting investigation: It is no longer acceptable to remain on the sidelines when it comes to violence in New Orleans.

"I'm not going to stand here and tell you 'Enough is enough' simply because this shooting happened on Bourbon Street. The fact of the matter is that would minimize past events like the Mother's Day shooting or any other shooting that happened on our streets whether it was last week, last month or last year," Polite said. "Those of us who have lived with the persistent drum beat of violence in our communities, or who have-- even worse -- lost loved ones to violence, to those individuals, enough came a long time ago'"

"The mayor is right. We need more soldiers in this battle."

Polite said his office, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, received approval to hire three additional assistant U.S. attorneys -- all of whom will be tasked with prosecuting violent crime in the region.

"It is not enough. So I will remain in the ear or in the face of those individuals to make sure that we have the resources, not just in my office, but with the FBI, the ATF, the DEA, the U.S. marshals to ensure that this is a battle that we can win," Polite said.

Polite brought up the NOPD consent decree, saying it should be a document that "works for us."

The decree is a document or agreement between the federal government and the NOPD. It forces the department to follow strict federally enforced guidelines as it pertains to staffing, overtime, training and reporting of crimes.

"I was not the U.S. attorney when that document was negotiated. There's a lot of good in that document, but it is not perfect. There are still some problems. But I will not stand idly by and let problems fester," Polite said. "This is a document that is supposed to work for us -- not against us. I don't live in Washington, D.C. I live here in southeast Louisiana in New Orleans."

Polite said to city officials that they have his commitment to make sure the decree will work for New Orleans.

When it comes to information in violent crimes, such as the Bourbon Street shooting, Polite said that people can no longer "stand on the sidelines." The people of New Orleans, he said, are in a battle.

"Whether you recognize it or not, whether you accept it or not, you are in the middle of a battle -- the new battle for the city of New Orleans. Either you are for a safe and peaceful New Orleans or you are against us," Polite said.

Polite asked New Orleanians to come forward with information on any violent crime in the city. While he said he understands the concern of safety when people do come forward with information, he assured informants that the government can protect them.

However, for those who hold information over the fear of "snitching," Polite was firm with his response: Not "snitching" is the "handiwork of the devil. It is one of his worst lies ever perpetrated."

"Those who are out there telling you, 'Don't snitch.' or 'Stop snitching,' when they're behind bars, they start talking," Polite said.

"Help us win this battle for New Orleans."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or the NOPD at 504-658-5800.